WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on the President's proposal to create a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Master Teachers Corps:

“The President’s new STEM Master Teachers Corps is a bold initiative aimed at making American students more competitive in today’s job market. In meetings with manufacturing leaders, I hear the same message: manufacturers want to bring jobs back, but we are not producing enough workers with the science and math skills necessary. Recruiting, retaining, and rewarding highly-effective STEM teachers will improve the likelihood that our students will graduate with the skills they need to compete for jobs and pursue postsecondary studies. I am pleased the President will immediately make resources available through the Teacher Incentive Fund to meet these objectives.

“Unfortunately, as demonstrated in the Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations bill they released yesterday, House Republicans have shown little interest in making investments in STEM education. They ought to recognize the value these investments bring to our economy and the opportunities they create for our middle-class. Investing in STEM education is central to House Democrats’ Make It In America jobs plan, and I call on Republicans to work with us to build a strong, skilled workforce ready for the advanced manufacturing jobs being created today – and for the jobs of tomorrow.”